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Alumni of the Year Honors 2024
Four Honored with Roberts Wesleyan University Alumni Award
One Honored with Northeastern Seminary Distinguished Alumni of the Year
Each year, we honor alumni who make a significant impact in their community and profession. The alumni chosen for these awards are recognized for their professional excellence, service to the community, and lifestyle that promotes the spirit and mission of Roberts Wesleyan University and Northeastern Seminary.
The Alumni Office recognizes honorees representing the best of a Roberts and Northeastern education and experience. These outstanding alumni, along with the thousands of Roberts and Northeastern alumni, are making a difference and providing leadership in our world and culture. These honorees were celebrated on Sept. 25 during Homecoming week.
Congratulations to the 2024 Alumni Award Recipients
2024 Young Alumna of the Year
Vanessa Komarek '20 (PsyD)
As a student: Vanessa was a graduate assistant in the psychology department. She used her free time to volunteer in the BELL program.
In her work: Vanessa runs Meaningful Life Psychological Services, PLLC; a group practice that specializes in evidence-based treatment of PTSD and other trauma-related disorders. They also offer integrative services helping to further the mind-body connection.
As an alumna: She is passionate about her volunteer work with many organizations, including those supporting older adults, unhoused individuals, those experiencing food insecurity, and survivors of sexual assault.
2024 Young Alumnus of the Year
Phil Schmitt ‘07 (Accounting Information Management, B.S., M.B.A. )
As a student: Phil was the captain of the men’s soccer team and an All-American. He was also involved in the tennis team, and the investment club, and served as a Resident Assistant on campus.
In his work: After graduating from Roberts, Phil earned his M.B.A. from the University of Rochester. He now works as the Vice President of Finance and Administration at Southeastern University in Lakeland, FL.
As an alumnus: Phil is an active member of the Lakeland community, hoping to build relationships to improve opportunities for the next generation. His home church is Access Church, which focuses on reaching the lost. He loves to volunteer at local and Southeastern events to help students.
2024 Alumna of the Year
Karen (Howard) McCoy ‘85 (Psychology, B.S.)
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As a student: Karen was a member of the Women’s Volleyball team all four of her years at Roberts, serving as captain during her senior year. Her pleasant memories of her time at Roberts focus on the friendships she developed here.
In her work: Karen currently serves as the Bakery Vice President at Wegmans Food Markets. She effectively leads unique and innovative merchandising strategies that support the Wegmans mission of helping customers live healthier lives through food. She builds partnerships with the world’s top suppliers to bring Wegmans customers the best products and services. Karen develops future leaders to sustain growth and drives positive business results by leading financial growth opportunities and partnering with store teams to execute priorities with excellence.
As an alumna: Karen currently attends Calvary Chapel Westside. She was actively involved with Children’s Church when her kids were growing up. Karen has a heart for helping younger leaders, especially women, navigate the political landscape, listening carefully with the intent to understand and mentor.
2024 Alumnus of the Year
Robert McCoy ‘80 (Elementary Education, B.S.)
As a student: Rob was most fond of the lifelong friendships he gained while at Roberts. He loved the opportunity to play basketball, the game he loves, and return later as a coach. He is most grateful for the opportunity to meet his wife at Homecoming many years ago at Roberts.
In his work: Rob is a retired elementary school teacher from Churchville-Chili School District, where he served for 22 years. He served as the Men’s Basketball coach at Roberts for 16 years, the longest-tenured head Men’s Basketball coach in school history. He is now a co-op vendor at Liberty Hollow, where he sells vintage items, including antiques and novelty pieces.
As an alumnus: Rob attends Calvary Church Westside. He volunteers a couple of days a week at Patrick Place, a hospice home in Scottsville for terminally ill patients. Serving at Patrick Place helped him to be there for his father and his family when they provided home care to him before his death. Rob was also able to go on a mission trip to Russia with Ignite International. There, he shared the gospel and ran a sports camp at schools in Beslan, which was attacked by Chechen terrorists. They also visited children in orphanages in Moscow. Rob was recently asked to serve on the Board of Directors for Ignite International.
2024 Northeastern Seminary Distinguished Alumni of the Year
Michael Traylor ‘12 (Public Administration, B.A., Masters in Theology & Social Justice, NES)
The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes a graduate of Northeastern Seminary who exemplifies faithful service in ministry.
As a student: Michael began his education at Oberlin College, where he earned a B.A. in Public Administration in 1986. He also achieved an M.D. at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in 1990. In 2002, he graduated from Cleveland State University Levin School of Urban Affairs with a Master’s of Public Administration. Following his first master's, Michael came to Northeastern Seminary to gain his Master of Arts in Theology and Social Justice. While at Northeastern, he was the lead pastor at New Hope Free Methodist Church, as well as a physician at Anthony Jordan Health Centers.
In his work: He currently serves as the Superintendent of the Free Methodist Church (FMC) River Conference, where he provides leadership, vision, and operational oversight. He is a board-certified pediatrician who led the Anthony Jordan Health Teen Center and its clinic at Franklin High School. He currently works part-time at the Brooks Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas.
As an alumnus: Michael is passionate about his leadership of the River Conference, which covers Free Methodist churches and ministries over ten states. It is one of the most diverse conferences in the FMC; through it, he is experiencing a significant move of God’s spirit. Previously, he served as a director of the African Heritage Network of the Free Methodist Church, and currently, he serves as the co-chair of the Justice Network of the FMC.